News & Information

Evergreen Public Schools finds elevated lead levels in water

Evergreen Public Schools has received results from water testing indicating elevated levels of lead in the drinking water at Image Elementary (4400 NE 122nd Ave). The levels range from 20 to 50 parts per billion which exceeds the Washington state school rule of 20 parts per billion and/or the Federal limit of 15 parts per billion. The school, built in 1976, now has shut off all drinking fountains in the school, and will provide bottled water for the remainder of the school year which ends June 16.

The school district is in the process of testing drinking water at all schools in the district. The results from Image are part of the initial testing of 300 samples. A second round of more stringent testing is underway to pinpoint exact levels as well as to determine whether the lead is in the plumbing fixtures or the water supply in the school.

As a precaution, since elevated levels of lead may be in pipes or fixtures that were installed prior to 2001, the district is also providing bottled water, to the following elementary schools built before that date: Burnt Bridge Creek, Burton, Ellsworth, Fircrest, Fisher’s Landing, Harmony, Hearthwood, Illahee, Marrion, Mill Plain, Pioneer, Riverview, Sifton, Silver Star and Sunset.

In addition over the summer, a previously approved project of installing filtered water bottle filling stations, will be completed at all Evergreen Public Schools.
More information available at http://www.evergreenps.org/watersafety